Will Antiperspirant Keep My Sweaty Palms Dry?

Can we talk about something sort of gross for a second? Excessive summer sweat! I don't know about you, but when temps rise, I start to notice wet patches in places I don't usually perspire, like my chest, back and palms -- even the backs of my knees feel damp sometimes. Short of carrying around a change of clothes (as a sweaty ex of mine used to do), I've tried everything under the sun (ha) to prevent embarrassing sweaty spots. So what's the solution?

Evaluate your ingredients. Check the label for aluminum-based compounds such as aluminum chloride, which help to shrink the sweat glands temporarily. Your best bet? “Use an extra-strength aluminum chloride-based antiperspirant such as Certain-Dri,” says Dr. MacGregor.

Apply strategically. Antiperspirants can work on any area of the body — they can even be applied on your upper lip and hairline (makeup artists do this for the red carpet) — although they won’t penetrate rough spots, like calluses. For best results, try applying your heavy-duty antiperspirant at night to allow for full absorption.

Prevent irritation. Antiperspirants can cause skin discomfort and/or allergy, so apply with caution, especially to sensitive areas. As with any new beauty product, always start with a spot test.

So there you have it. Do these three things and you’ll be in for a (virtually) sweat-stain-free summer. What are your secrets for staying dry in the heat?